§ 25. Mr. Malcolm MacMillanasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether, in the interest of transport, agricultural and tourist development and in view of heavy local unemployment, he will now offer financial assistance towards the construction of the Tolsta-Ness road in the Isle of Lewis, with which Ross and Cromarty County Council are anxious to proceed.
§ Mr. MaclayI have not been informed by the County Council of Ross and Cromarty that it is anxious to proceed immediately with the construction of a road between Tolsta and Ness, and I have received no request from it for financial assistance for such a scheme.
§ Mr. Malcolm MacMillanWill the right hon. Gentleman withdraw the advice he gave to the County Council last year not to include this scheme in its proposed road programme for this year and coming years? Secondly, when the request does come, as I am told that it will come shortly, will he give most generous consideration to it, in view of the Government's claim to have relaxed the restrictions upon claims of this kind and because there is heavy unemployment in that area?
§ Mr MaclayIt is a question of relative priorities and a matter for consultation and consideration. Regarding the second part of the hon. Gentleman's supplementary question, I could not commit myself to any premature decision on a matter which has not yet reached me.